Apparatus for applying ties to bundles

ABSTRACT

An apparatus is disclosed for applying bundle ties to bundles, the bundle ties being of the type comprising an elongated thin strip of plastic material having an opening in its trailing end so that the leading end of the tie can be inserted through the opening and the tie drawn up into snugly embracing relationship with the bundle. The apparatus comprises a means for feeding the bundle ties, leading end first, along a path extending around the bundle and through the opening in the trailing end of the tie. After the leading end is threaded through the opening, the end of the tie is grasped and pulled away from the bundle while the trailing end is pressed towards and against the bundle. A cutoff device, which is responsive to the development in a predetermined tension in the tie, is then operated to cut the excess portion of the strap which extends beyond the trailing end of the tie.

[ June 24, 1975 United States Patent n 1 Bakermans.

Primary Examiner-Lowell A. Larson Attorney, Agent, or FirmF. W. Raring; Jay L.

[ APPARATUS FOR APPLYING TIES TO BUNDLES Inventor:

Seitchik; W. J. Keating [75] Johannes Cornelis Wilhelmus Bakermans, Eiters. Pa.

57 ABSTRACT An apparatus is disclosed for applying bundle ties to bundles, the bundle ties being of the type comprising Oct. 23, 1973 Appl. No.: 408,898

an elongated thin strip of plastic material having an opening in its trailing end so that the leading end of the tie can be inserted through the opening and the tie drawn up into snugly embracing relationship with the bundle. The apparatus comprises a means for feeding the bundle ties. leading end first, along a path extending around the bundle and through the opening in the trailing end of the tie. After the leading end is threaded through the opening, the end of the tie is grasped and pulled away from the bundle while the trailing end is pressed towards and against the bundle. A cutoff device, which is responsive to the development in a predetermined tension in the tie. is then operated to cut the excess portion of the strap which extends beyond the trailing end of the tie.

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1. Apparatus for applying a bundle tie to a bundle of conductors or the like, said bundle tie comprising an elongated relatively narrow strip having a leading end and a trailing end, an opening in said traIling end which is adapted to receive said leading end to permit intermediate portions of said tie to be drawn through said opening so that said tie can be drawn into embracing relationship with said bundle, said apparatus comprising: frame means having a circular tie application zone, tie supporting means for supporting said tie in preparation for application to said bundle, said tie supporting means extending tangentially from one side of said tie application zone, tie feeding means for feeding an individual tie, leading end first, along a predetermined path which extends to, and around, said application zone, said path having a first rectilinear portion which extends along said support means tangentially towards said zone, an arcuate portion which extends partially around said zone, and a second rectilinear portion which extends from said arcutate portion and has an intersection with said first rectilinear portion, a first reciprocable slide, said feeding means comprising pushing means on said first slide for pushing said trailing end of said tie thereby to advance said tie along said first rectilinear portion of said path and along said arcuate portion to said intersection, tie tightening means comprising means for grasping said leading end and pulling said leading end away from said zone, cut off means for cutting said tie adjacent to said opening after said tie has been drawn into snugly embracing relationship with said bundle, a reciprocable actuator for reciprocating said slide, first rack means on said slide and a gear wheel on said actuator, said gear wheel meshing with said first rack means, said apparatus having second rack means extending parallel to said first rack means, said gear wheel meshing with said second rack means, said second rack means being resistant to linear movement whereby, said gear wheel is rotated during linear movement of said actuator and said first rack means is moved in the direction of movement of said actuator at a velocity which is greater than the velocity of said actuator whereby, upon actuation of said actuator when a bundle is positioned in said zone, said tie will be fed along said path and its leading end will be fed through said opening at said intersection, and thereafter said leading end will be grasped by said tightening means and pulled away from said zone until said tie snugly embraces said bundle and said tie will thereafter be cut by said cut off means.
 2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 said feeding means further comprising means for pushing a portion of said tie which extends along said second rectilinear portion of said path towards said application zone while said trailing end is being pushed along said first rectilinear portion of said path whereby an intermediate portion of said tie is forced to move through said opening while said trailing end is moved towards said application zone.
 3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2, said apparatus having means for moving said trailing end of said path towards said tie application zone after said trailing end has substantially reached the rend of said first rectilinear portion of said path whereby said leading end is pulled by said tightening means radially with respect to said bundle.
 4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3, said slide having head means thereon, said pushing means comprising surface portions of said head means, said tightening means comprising means in said head means for grasping and clamping said leading end of said tie.
 5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4, said apparatus having a magazine for holding a plurality of ties, and having means for dispensing a tie from said magazine and positioning said tie on said first rectilinear portion of said path.
 6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said actuator comprising a piston-cylinder.
 7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said second rack means being linearly movable upon application of a predetermined force thereto whereby upon development of a predetermined tension in said tie, said first rack means is restrained against movement and said second rack means is moved, said cut off means being responsive to movement of said second rack means to cut said tie.
 8. Apparatus for applying a bundle tie to a bundle of conductors or the like, said bundle tie comprising an elongated relatively narrow strip having a leading end and a trailing end, an opening in said trailing end which is adapted to receive said leading end to permit intermediate portions of said tie to be drawn through said opening so that said tie can be drawn into embracing relationship with said bundle, said apparatus comprising: frame means having a circular tie application zone, tie feeding means for feeding an individual tie, leading end first, along a predetermined feed path which extends to, and around, said application zone, a first reciprocable slide, said feeding means comprising pushing means on said first slide for pushing said trailing end of said tie along said feed path upon movement of said slide towards said application zone, tie tightening means comprising gripping means on said first slide for gripping said leading end and pulling said leading end away from said zone upon movement of said slide away from said zone, cut off means for cutting said tie adjacent to said opening after said tie has been drawn into snugly embracing relationship with said bundle, actuating means for said first slide and said cut-off means, said actuating means comprising first and second rack bars, said first rack bar being secured to said first slide, said second rack bar being spaced from, and extending parallel to, said first rack bar, a gear wheel meshing with both said first and second rack bars, resilient means normally preventing movement of said second rack bar away from said zone and positive stop means preventing movement of said second rack bar towards said zone, power means for moving said gear wheel towards and away from said zone and, means responsive to movement of said second rack bar away from said zone for actuating said cut off means whereby, upon movement of said gear wheel towards said zone, said first rack bar and said first slide are moved towards said zone thereby to feed said tie into surrounding relationship to a bundle in said zone until the leading end of said tie is fed through said opening and is gripped in said gripping means, and upon movement of said gear wheel away from said zone, said first rack bar and said first slide are moved away from said zone thereby to tighten said tie onto said bundle until said first slide and said first rack bar are restrained against further movement, and said second rack bar is thereafter moved away from said zone by said gear wheel thereby to actuate said cut off means.
 9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8, said power means comprising a piston-cylinder.
 10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8, said predetermined feed having a first rectilinear portion which extends towards said zone, an arcuate portion which extends partially around said zone, and a second rectilinear portion which extends from said arcuate portion and has an intersection with said first rectilinear portion, said apparatus having means responsive to movement of said first slide for pushing a portion of said tie which extends along said second rectilinear portion towards said application zone while said trailing end is being pushed along said first rectilinear portion of said path whereby an intermediate portion of said tie is forced to move through said opening while said trailing end is moved towards said application zone.
 11. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10 having means for moving said trailing end of said tie towards said application zone after said trailing end has substantially reached the end of said first rectilinear portion of said path whereby said leading end is pulled by said tightening means radially with respect to said bundle. 